4wd conversion shops??

As long as everything is currently functioning, I wouldn't bother. The main reason manual hubs are used for the 4x4 conversion is simply easy of installation - there's less wiring to worry about.

Going with manual hubs and a J-shifter (not the push button 4wd) there's no wiring to worry about.

 

I’m working on this project slowly still and was looking over this list you made. Did you go to salvage yards to pull these yourself or were you able to source these from websites or what? I’m trying to find parts but man it’s tough in my area. Not many tacos in salvage yards within 500 miles according to the row 52 app.

 

That may not always be a good idea. It is a lot cheaper to pay the bank 2-3% interest than a mechanic $100-$200/hour labor. The key is to be smart, don't overextend yourself and never get in a position where you owe more than it is worth. I'm in a position where the last 3 vehicles I bought I could have pulled money from investments and paid cash. I chose to trade in an older vehicle to get my current F150. I got loans at 2% and will end up paying $1200 total interest over the life of the loan. Since I only had to borrow a small amount to cover the rest my payment is under $300/month. I pay extra and will pay it off sooner and that gives me the flexibility to only pay $300 the months that I want to spend money on other things. The money I have in the bank is earning me more than I'm paying them. I'd have lost money by paying cash.

If you spend $3000-$10,000 to convert a 16 year old truck to 4X4 you still have a 16 year old truck. You could spend the $10,000 and trade into a 10 year newer 4X4 truck. What you want to do is just barely financially feasible if you do the work your self. Not if you're paying someone else.

 

Good points that will fly over most Americans heads like the Thunderbirds on July 4th. lol

 

www.car-part.com

 

Good points, issue is I don’t have large enough investments that are earning a higher interest rate to off set the loss. Now, if I’m only spending $1200 in interest, well, that’s compelling. Where did you get a 2-3% auto loan though? Is that normal right now. We have very good credit but I haven’t looked at a car loan in 12 years so I’m not sure what they go for now.

I appreciate your perspective. Good thoughts. Thanks you!

 

This is awesome! Thank you! Now I have to figure out what the actual names of the parts are according to the website. I didn’t find a “j shifter” on there.

 

You’ll find them standard on 1995-2000 trucks.

 

Ok. Perfect. Thank you. I still have some learning to do though. I don’t see cv axel or manual locking hubs. I’m sure it’s on there I just have to learn the terms. My lack of mechanical experience is making this much harder than I imagine it needs to be.

 

You need to buy the entire steering knuckles unless you want to press them in and out.

 

Argh! Man this is frustrating. Ok.. thank you. The terms are gonna be the death of me. I don’t even know what this stuff is. I just need to find someone to source the parts for me. That car parts website is awesome though. Looks like a place in Joplin mo (an hour away) has some Tacoma’s that may have my parts but the terms are slowing me down.

 

The only way to do this swap is to learn about the various 4WD components, how they work, and how they fit together. You'll have a hell of a time trying to do this swap if you don’t know what goes where or what is what.

 

I started with little to no knowledge of vehicles in general past brake jobs and a suspension lift on my Tacoma. I literally spent hours watching videos and going through the FSM. Then I'd poke around my truck afterwards. Plus annoying @BartMaster1234 and some other guys on here for a month. I'm surprised people kept responding to me looking back. But once I got the parts truck I think people knew I was serious.

 

I'll second this. I found most members on TW who have done the conversion happy to assist and answer questions. Even my dumb ones. My parts came from fellow TW members, Ebay and Craigslist. I found parts to be cheaper by searching 4Runner instead of Tacoma.

 

Full conversion package? I’d say maybe $1,000.

$10 if you’re talking about yours that swam in poop water.

 

Id say more then that. If you sell it as a conversion package everything induced you could get $1,250 or more .
a340 trans/t-case $600
front drive shaft $80
vacuum add diff $250
cvs $100
spindles $300

 

If you have everything I would need and are looking to sell it, and it is in good working order, let me know. I would be interested in snagging all of it in one sweep, again assuming it’s all good.

 

Didn't realize a diff drop was so hard on the rear bushing.

 

Hmmm ok. I think I understand most of what you are saying. I’m still learning exactly what I need to do the conversion though. Are these manual hubs or will I need to get the vacuum system off that truck as well? I have a v6 prerunner so I think it’s compatible but not sure. How do I know what gearing I need? I think I have seen it in other threads so I may just need to hunt around again I find that out. Is there anything from what you have that is missing for me to do the entire conversion or is it the whole thing in its entirety? Sorry to see what happened to a sweet truck by the way. But maybe some good can come of it.

 

Hmmm ok. Ok definitely interested. I saw someone mention it possibly being underwater. Any issue there? I don’t went to drop a ton of money on scrap metal .

Let me do some reading so I understand how the non manual stuff works. I haven’t looked into it at all. Also need to figure out my gear ratio and if it matches what you have.

Work me up a price though and either post it here or PM me if that’s better and I will see what I can do. Thank you!